• 22 Arnold Mall Arnold, MO 63010

Welcome to

Pediatric Dentistry
of Arnold

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Meet the Doctor

Pediatric dentist in Arnold, MO smiling in a professional office setting

Dr. Matt Waite

Hi! I’m Dr. Matt Waite. I was born and raised in St. Louis, and after 10 years of living and adventuring outside the state, I’m thrilled to be back in the community I grew up in.
I earned my Master’s in Public Health from Saint Louis University and my Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry. After dental school, I served in the Army. While I loved my time in the Army, I was struck by how many brave men and women carried a fear of the dentist that began in childhood. That experience inspired me to pursue specialty training in pediatric dentistry, where I could help children build confidence and develop positive dental habits from an early age.
I completed my pediatric dental residency at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. My goal is to help every child—and their parent—feel safe, comfortable, and proud as we work together to create and maintain healthy smiles.
I am also passionate about improving access to dental care for all children. I recently published work with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as a children’s book called Tooth Tales.
Cartoon tooth fairy scene with smiling teeth characters used for children’s dental education in a pediatric dental office

Dr. Waite has
a children's book!

Check It Out

I’m proud to be part of the team at Pediatric Dentistry of Arnold, where we are committed to providing excellent care with a focus on prevention, education, and, of course, smiles. When I’m not counting teeth, you can find my wife, Ellen, and our son Bodie and me cheering on our favorite sports teams, playing outside, and exploring all the great aspects of St. Louis!

I can’t wait to meet you in person!

See Dr. Waite’s publication in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

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About Our Practice

A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. 

Plus, our fun “under the sea” theme, tablets with Disney+ for entertainment, and prizes at the end of each visit mean most children leave with a smile!

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What Sets Us Apart

Our team goal is to introduce you and the children to our staff and the environment specifically designed to give the children and parents an idea of what to expect during their visit.
In addition to having staff members that have been with us for more than 40 years, we also have several employees who are actually former patients of the clinic! Our team delivers the compassion, care, and commitment to excellence that you expect for your child.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common dental issues you see in children?
The most common problems we treat are cavities, bite concerns, early tooth loss, and delayed tooth development. During every visit, Dr. Matt examines your child’s teeth, gums, and overall oral health. If anything needs attention, we explain it in plain language and go over all treatment options with you. Depending on what’s needed, we offer fillings, pediatric crowns, pulp therapy, and space maintainers, always keeping your child comfortable throughout.
Call us right away at (314) 230-8615. We provide emergency pediatric dental care and will work to see your child as quickly as possible. Whether it’s a knocked-out tooth, a bad toothache, a broken tooth, or a mouth injury, quick care can prevent the situation from getting worse and, in some cases, save the tooth entirely.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first visit around age one or when your child’s first tooth comes in. If your child is older, that is perfectly fine too. We welcome new patients of all ages. Starting early helps build good habits and gives us a chance to spot any concerns before they develop into bigger problems.
The first visit typically runs about 45 minutes. We start by getting to know your child at a comfortable, relaxed pace. Dr. Matt will gently examine teeth, gums, and bite, take digital X-rays if necessary, and go over your child’s oral health with you. We keep our language simple and friendly the whole time. Before leaving, your child gets to pick a prize from our treasure box, so most kids walk out happy.
Most children benefit from a dental visit every six months. Regular checkups help us catch small issues early, keep track of how teeth and the jaw are developing, and maintain healthy gums. If your child has specific needs, Dr. Matt may suggest a different schedule, which we will discuss with you directly.
No. We take digital X-rays only when there is a clear reason to, such as checking for hidden cavities or monitoring tooth development. Digital X-rays use very low radiation and are safe for children. We will always explain why we are recommending them before we proceed, and we will never take them just as a routine step.
We are located at 22 Arnold Mall, Arnold, MO 63010, inside the Arnold Mall area. Our regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. We also see patients on select Saturdays from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm by appointment. You can reach us by phone at (314) 230-8615 to confirm Saturday availability or to get any help finding us.
Yes, we accept most major dental insurance plans. When you call to schedule, let us know your provider and we will verify your coverage ahead of time. We also go over any out-of-pocket costs upfront so there are no surprises on the day of your visit. If you have questions about payment options or what your plan covers, our front desk team is glad to help walk you through it.

What Families Are Saying

“I came with my 3 year old daughter to have her teeth cleaned for the first time. They were pretty heavily stained (iron staining) and they did a fabulous job!! Her teeth look beautiful! They were so gentle and so kind and friendly!! They did a fantastic job interacting with my daughter and making her feel at ease. I will recommend them to all my friends with young children!”
Jacky George
“We recently switched to this office and are EXTREMELY HAPPY that we did! Everyone is very kind, from the front desk, hygienist, dentist, to checkout! I’d give more than 5 stars if it allowed!”
Cyndi Luttrell
“Every single staff member was wonderful. From the front desk to the doctor and everyone in between. Very professional, very sweet, my kids very much enjoyed the experience. And as someone who hates going to the dentist I'm so glad to have found a place my kids don't hate going!”
Iva Harbison

Request an Appointment

Have a question for our team? Send us a message and we’ll be in touch soon.
  • Monday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Tuesday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Wednesday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Thursday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Friday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
  • Select Saturdays: Appointments only from 8:00am to 12:00pm

Schedule Your Child's Visit

We look forward to welcoming your family to our Arnold office.
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